"DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUENESS!"

DONNA MEJIA ~ COLORADODONNA MEJIA is a choreographer, lecturer, teacher, administrator, and performer specializing in contemporary dance, traditions of the African and Arab Diaspora, and emerging fusion traditions in Transnational Electronica. For 10 years she was a faculty member at Colorado College and Director of the Colorado College International Summer Dance Festival. For twelve years she served as managing director of the award-winning Harambee African Dance Ensemble of CU-Boulder. With Harambee she was awarded the prestigious El Pomar Foundation grant, was featured in the March 1996 issue of Dance Magazine, performed for President Bill Clinton and Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and was hailed as the “Best of Boulder” for 3 years running. Donna is an authorized instructor of Brazilian Silvestre Modern Dance Technique and is the primary person assisting in codifying this esoteric study of dance and the body after 20 years of practice. Donna was the Guest Artist in Residence for Smith College Dance 2006 through 2009, and has been awarded extended residencies at the Naropa Institute, Mt. Holyoke College, Hampshire College, University of Northern Colorado, Tapei National University of the Arts, Bucknell University, Colorado State University, EarthDance, Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival and the Bates International Dance Festival. Donna achieved honors marks in the completion her Master of Fine Arts degree on full fellowship. She is director of the Sovereign Collective, a social action and performance ensemble. Additionally, she consults for publishers, theatrical productions, community organizations and nonprofits; is writing articles based on her research and teachings in the evolving field of identity in the digital diaspora, ethics/integrity in global dance culture; and the deconstruction of the femme fatale caricature in dance. Her choreographic commissions and performances continue to generate outstanding critical reviews from print and digital press, contemporary dance, traditions of the African and Arab Diaspora, and emerging fusion traditions in Transnational Electronica. For more information about Donna Mejia see http://donnainthedance.wordpress.com.Photos by Carrie Meyer, Emmanuel Adero, Heather Gray, Peter Paradise, Steve Balderamma and Daniel Beahm.

Karen Barbee ~ Texas

KAREN BARBEE, our resident Master Trainer, began studying Belly Dance at the age of 10. Over three decades later, Karen has developed a teaching methodology for this ancient dance form based on technical precision, soulful innovation, and cultural respect.Having begun her study of Belly Dance during the 1970’s, a period of limited explanations, she developed her own. Her background in Systems Analysis enables her to analyze movement, decompose that movement, and explain it to others in a logical way. Karen’s years of teaching have enabled her to hone her teaching skills and develop a strong philosophy and curriculum, which have evolved into progressions she refers to as “From Mastery to Mystery”.Karen has directed numerous staged productions of Middle Eastern Dance, studied and performed in Egypt and Lebanon, and has worked with some of the most highly acclaimed musicians in the business. In addition, she has produced invaluable instructional DVDs, music CDs and currently runs an extraordinary multi-level on-line training resource which provides answers and solutions to students and dancers daily. Karen has trained and continues to mentor highly regarded talents internationally. She also develops a limited number of customized in studio intensives when her busy training schedule and life as the wife of a prominent politician permit. If your studio is interested in co-sponsoring a focused intensive with Karen Barbee, contact stellaradvantage@gmail.com. Learn more about Karen Barbee here.﻿Photo by﻿Rebecca Ann Waldron - RAW Art PhotographyBellydance Masters Official PhotographerRegister for incredible online classes here!

ARISH LAM ~ PUERTO RICO

Arish Lam is a multifaceted incredible character with a very particular beat. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Arish Lam began his career more than 20 years ago as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and actor. The first step in this career was Jazz under the direction of the Island’s most famous teachers and choreographers Joshua Melendez and Luis Salgado. Arish Lam let loose his imagination and creativity thus creating his own unique and one of a kind fusion form. This style has crossed the seas and is now known internationally earning him the well deserved title of “The Puerto Rico Sensation.” Arish Lam has performed and served as judge in various competitions in the USA, Europe, and Asia. For years, he has used his creativity and focus concentrating on melding Fusion Artistry with Latin music. Arish Lam and his Miracula Troupe are known to be exhilarating and contagious wherever they performs. Arish Lam is the President of the Temple of Dance School in Puerto Rico, and Director and Choreographer of the one and only Miracula troupe. As a soloist and a mentor, he is a favorite wherever he goes always captivating the audience and classrooms with the power of his movement.Arish Lam is a multifaceted talent. One of his strengths is training new stars. Arish has developed young ​Puerto Ricans in the Art of Belly Dance and Fusion and has traveled with his pupils and his spellbinding troupe Miracula, to various competitions in California, Las Vegas, Miami, Korea, and the Dominican Republic typically bringing back winners in various different categories. Today, Arish Lam is the creator of his own unique style; a challenge conquered. His theatrical dances have reached places never imagined giving life to his amazing choreographies. In 2015, he returns to Orlando and we are so excited to have him back with us teaching and performing once again!

Silvia Salamanca ~ Palma de Mallorca/USA

SILVIA SALAMANCA was a University graduate at the age of nineteen with a major in ballet and went on to perform professionally as a feature modern dance artist in major European Festivals and Events with the Contemporary Dance Company of the University of Barcelona. She started her career as a belly dancer in 2001 because she realized the enormous benefits that this art form brings to women in both body and soul. In her own studio, she continues to observe and help women get closer to their personal identity at a new level by increasing self-esteem, and getting deeply in touch with their feminine essence through dance.As a natural evolution, Silvia discovered tribal fusion in the USA and has developed her own unique style through deep historical and cultural research into her own Spanish Gypsy and Arabic roots. Now she is known for her passionate and magnetic personality which shines through in her exciting stage style and inspirational programs in the field of Zambra Mora (spanish gypsy-oriental dance fusion). Originally from Mallorca, Spain, Silvia Salamanca continues to gain international recognition. Currently she is a featured guest artist and popular instructor at major festivals around the globe..In order to reach as many students as possible, Silvia is proud to present two new workshop videos. "The Cutting Edge" for even more incredible sword technique, and "Dancing Outside the Box" for bigger braver moves by fusing with Contemporary Dance which you can find online by clicking here and at major festivals and anywhere Silvia is featured at the Stellar Advantage booth or with Silvia herself! Silvia's activities are based in Houston, and there you can find her performing regularly in a variety of venues, including the House of Blues, and offering regular classes. Photo by Rebecca Ann Waldron - RAW Art PhotographyBellydance Masters Official PhotographerLearn more about Silvia Salamanca of Palma de Mallorca , now of Texasand where you can find here in 2015 and beyond here!

Mia Sha'uri ~ Puerto Rico

MIA SHA'URI is the ultimate example of passionate dedication. A dedicated continual student of dance in a myriad of forms for almost 15 years, she is a multi-award winning performing artist holding these noteworthy titles:

Mia Sha'uri's focus, incredible discipline, and her obvious love of the art have prepared her well. Already she is in demand as an International Performing Artist and Instructor. Her wide range of professional artistic talents include Cabaret, Latin Fusions, Bollywood, Tribal and Bomba with captivating style and grace, not to mention being a master of more props than you can imagine.As an instructor, her maturity exceeds her years and her desire to participate in the growth of her students is immediately evident. As a performer, her musicality and unique artistic interpretation are her signature. Her dynamic stage presence makes her a crowd favorite and a star to watch! Photo by Rebecca Ann Waldron - RAW Art PhotographyBellydance Masters Official PhotographerLearn more about Mia Sha'uri of Puerto Rico here!

﻿LACEY SANCHEZ ~ FlORIDA﻿

Lacey Sanchez began her journey into Tribal Belly dance at the early age of 15 in southern California with Patricia Johnson. Her love for this beautiful art form was immediate; she began performing at tribal events and around campfires at SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) events almost instantly. The thrill of live drums and dancing with her sisters was inspiring. She took this love for the dance all the way through high school and pursued a dance degree at Victor Valley Community College. She studied many forms of classical dance including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Ballroom. However, as fate would have it Lacey sustained an injury that would prevent her from ever pursuing a career in classical dance. To her surprise though, because Belly Dance is best danced barefoot her doctor approved and encouraged her to continue Belly dancing.Lacey then traveled cross country from California to Central Florida where she was exposed to the large community of Cabaret Belly dancers in Florida. Lacey then spent the next four years studying, teaching, and performing classical Cabaret Belly dance in Florida as well as in Southern California. It was in her last trip to California where her original love for Tribal Belly dance was re-ignited. Lacey then made the decision that she wanted to bring her experience and love of Tribal Belly dance to Florida. So she began Florida Tribal Dance in November of 2006 for just that reason. To learn more about Lacey Sanchez and Florida Tribal Dance click here.

Debka ~ Tennessee

Attendees of Belly Dance Masters continue to rave about improved flexibility and even have reduced longstanding chronic pain as a result of their classes here with Debka! Debka has a masters degree in dance and movement education. She has been teaching all forms of dance for over 40 years. Debbie Ashton aka Debka is a certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and has worked in physical therapy clinics for 20 years. She has produced 6 instructional DVDs composed of her unique "Fluid Moves" program which are sold internationally. She worked at the 1996 Olympics with the kayak teams to help relieve their pain and improve their performance. Now even in her 60's, she is super active with 3 performing belly dance troupes and instructing several Zumba classes per week because of her long term practice using these "Fluid Moves" designed especially for dancers. To learn more about Debka, Click here.

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